Date: Wed, 23 Jul 1997 08:07:10 +0200 (SAT)
From: Peter van Heusden <pvh-AT-leftside.wcape.school.za>
Subject: Re: M-FEM: Enough telling off


On Tue, 22 Jul 1997, Renate Bridenthal wrote:

> For example, Madonna selling
> her sexual merchandise can appear to be in control (I wonder if she'll make it
> into her 80s like Mae West), when in fact she sets up images that oppress
> copycat women.  Can someone think of a comparable model of masculinity,
> that keeps men subject to the system?  -Renate Bridenthal
> 
Um, G.I. Joe? I know its an action figure, but... it seems to me that G.I.
Joe's commodification of male agression is useful in to the capitalist
system in the same sense that Barbie/Madonna's commodification of female
sexuality is. The agression symbolised by G.I. Joe is often translated in
an argument for the necessity of competition, rather than direct emulation
of the action figure. (I.e. emulation of 'winning via agression', not
emulation of 'being a Marine').

Peter
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